MLS: Irish forward makes sure it's Union's lucky day

CHESTER — On the eve of St. Patrick’s Day, Union brass deemed Saturday’s home match with New England a perfect time to host Irish Night.

The promotion earned an “A” for authenticity, with hale and hearty tailgaters availing themselves of free-flowing beer amid a wintry mix of freezing rain and snow that would make any Dubliner homesick.

And, as if following a script, Emerald Isle descendent Jack McInerney scored the game’s lone goal to give the Union a 1-0 win over the New England Revolution and a strong 2-1 start to the MLS season.

The 20-year-old forward, who acknowledged that his great-grandmother was born in Ireland, may not have reached legal drinking age yet. But he certainly has become a go-to player for the Philadelphia attack.

It was McInerney’s second consecutive game-winning goal — having deposited the decisive strike in last Sunday’s blizzard-delayed 2-1 victory at Colorado.

Saturday’s effort also grew McInerney’s stature in Revolution lore, adding to his two scores in three meetings last season with New England (1-1).

“With the weather as bad as it was, we knew it was going to be a battle,” the soft-spoken star said.

Playing through brutal conditions that left Union manager John Hackworth with “frozen feet” and caused many of the announced crowd of 15,689 to find shelter elsewhere than PPL Park, the teams traded sparse scoring opportunities until the Union finally cashed in a set play in the 76th minute.

Sebastien Le Toux, who has morphed into the team’s designated corner kick expert, sent a beautiful ball from the left corner that McInerney simultaneously trapped and shot into Revs goalie Bobby Shuttleworth. And when the ball caromed directly back to him, McInerney had the presence of mind and quick reflexes to chip a shot into the right corner of the net.

“That’s what good teams do, you‘ve got to be able to pull out wins late,” McInerney said with a shrug. “We kept fighting because we knew was going to come.”

While joking that he was trying to regain feeling in his lower extremities in the post-game press conference, Hackworth turned serious in heaping praise on McInerney.

“Jack has always been a clutch player to me,” Hackworth said.

“He epitomizes our team right now with his growth and development. That’s his second straight game-winning goal and the second straight week we didn’t play the prettiest of soccer. But I’m so proud of our guys for the effort that they turned in and this is exactly what we want — three points every time we play at PPL Park.”

While second-year goalie Zac MacMath wasn’t flawless, turning several routine balls into adventures, he was able to stop the two shots he faced and recorded his ninth career shutout with considerable defensive help from Sheanon Williams, Jeff Parke and Amobi Okugo.

The Union also received a special performance out of substitute midfielder Michael Lahoud, who was pressed into action less than eight minutes into the match when a Revs free kick from just outside the box felled Danny Cruz. Cruz was prone on the field for several minutes before being helped to the sideline and ultimately, reluctantly made the slow walk to the locker room.

According to Hackworth, the team’s medical staff determined that the shot to the head warranted that Cruz undergo further examination.

“Danny says he’s fine, he was just pissed that he had to leave the game,” Hackworth said.

“Lahoud came in ice-cold and was a great asset. It was quite an adjustment so early in the game because we knew it wouldn’t be a pretty game. But winning a game 1-0 is really important. It’s one where you just gut it out. Our attitude is the stuff we can’t control you just shake off and get on with it. We talk a lot about being ‘Philly tough’ and I think we’re accomplishing that.”

The play on both sides was spotty early, with errant passes rolling harmlessly out of bounds, and on the rare occasions when there was a methodical build up, no one was able to cash in the scoring chances.

But soon after the second half began, it was apparent that the match was turning in favor of the home club.

In the 61st minute, Keon Daniel sent a dangerous crossing pass through the box. Five minutes later LeToux made a beeline for the Revs net, colliding with two New England defenders but getting no love from referee Jose Carlos Rivero, inciting the ire of the spirited — and no doubt spirit-filled — Sons of Ben supporters group inhabiting the River End stands.

Less than a minute after Shuttleworth made a spectacular save to rob Lahoud from close range, LeToux sent a corner kick into the box and onto the foot of McInerney.

Trying to deflect the praise coming his way, McInerney said, “I just put myself into good positions and my teammates put in the effort to get the ball to me.”

But Williams was having none of it, saying of his young teammate, “I’ve known Jack for a long time and he’s a goal scorer.”